Germany: Animal Welfare Initiative decides on easier access
While discussions on the design of the transition to consistent identification and the phasing out of the piglet fund at the Animal Welfare Initiative (ITW) are still in full swing, the committees decided on some access facilitations last week.
Implementation of identity
The goal of achieving consistent product identification from 2027 onwards remains unchanged. Therefore, purchasing piglets from the ITW (International Pig Farming Association) will become mandatory for participating pig fattening farms. The ITW clarifies that it is not necessary to house ITW piglets this year. Since the details of the transition to consistent product identification are not yet finalized, the date from which only ITW piglets may be housed could be postponed. The ITW states that it will provide further information on this in the coming weeks .
Multiple husbandry methods under one VVVO number
In the future, the Animal Welfare Initiative will allow farms to register for multiple ITW programs under a single VVVO number or to participate with only part of their location. To facilitate this, an inspection at the barn level will be introduced upon request, and farms will receive a barn ID in addition to their VVVO number. This barn ID will be assigned by the ITW database during registration and cannot be changed. A prerequisite is that uniform husbandry conditions exist within a barn or building (under one roof). The necessary technical infrastructure is currently being developed; as soon as it is available and registration is possible, this will be communicated separately. The ITW emphasizes that the division into individual barn IDs is an option, not a requirement.
Transitional period for window area for piglet producers/rears
The ITW committees have also decided on a simplified entry process for piglet producers and rearers. A transitional period until December 31, 2028, will be established for the implementation of the ITW requirements regarding light-transmitting window area in sow housing and piglet rearing.
During this period, farms will receive either an A rating if the criterion is met, or an E rating if it is not. A farm with an E rating is still eligible to supply ITW piglets to ensure consistent lineage. This applies to all ITW sow and piglet rearing farms, both new and existing participating farms. This change will come into effect on July 1, 2026.
The most striking feature of the move is that it hasn’t been driven by one segmen...
New data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) for the period from January to April 2026...
Delegates at the AHDB Red Meat Export Conference in Butchers' Hall, London, heard about the inter...
